Remuneration top of list on what Millennials want from their work

According to Instant Offices, Millennials exist in a fast-paced world, and their work expectations aren’t much different – they want a career that offers variety and quick progression. In its recent survey, the key findings on what millennials want in the workplace are:

Money and remuneration (92%)

Security and stability in the role (87%)

Holidays/time off (86%)

On top of pay, security, and time off, Millenials also cite wanting to work with great people (80%) and the option of flexible working (79%).

However, the survey noted that not all millennials are the same; with males and females differ in what they want out of life and the workplace. For women, they cite planning to make more time to care for others like children, older relatives, their partners, and even to volunteer. On the other hand, men mostly chose priorities that focus on themselves.

But both genders aim to prioritise me-time and time off for holidays; with 40% of millennials planning to take significant breaks to travel or just relax. Meanwhile, they also plan to take time off to help a partner in their job. Instead of remaining in one job for the rest of their lives, millennials see the need to gain continuous new skills to highlight employability with 93% valuing lifelong learning, and will even use their personal time and fork out cash from their own pockets on further training.

Additionally, 80% consider learning a new skill as a top factor when choosing a new job; and 22% are even willing to take an extended break from work to gain new skills and qualifications.

When it comes to their outlook on employability, two-third are hopeful about their current employment prospects; with 62% showing they are optimistic that they they could find equally good if not better work in three months if they lost their main source of income.

With survey showing that 73% of millennials work more than 40 hours a week; while close to a quarter work over 50 hours; the release stated that Millennials are an extremely hard-working generation, already working harder than any of the generations before them.

In the release, it said: “With an awareness of the value of growing their skills, strengthening relationships, and exploring opportunities, most millennials don’t mind putting in extra hours.”

Meanwhile, Millennials think skills and qualifications (49%) is the key factor to reaching the next job level. This is followed by performance in current job (45%), more experience through new roles or projects (35%), good connections (28%), opportunities (23%) and thriving relationships with managers and mentors (17%).

Furthermore, 84% expect significant breaks during their working lives, supporting the idea that career waves are the new career ladder in earlier generations. And because most millennials know they’ll work longer than previous generations, they would rather than spend their life in one job, millennials opt for careers in waves with changing direction, pace, and regular breaks. On that note, 27% expect to work until over 70 years old while 12% say they’ll work until the day they die.

When it comes to what the “right” amount of time is to remain in one role before moving to another or being promoted, majority (two-thirds said) less than two years; while a quarter cite less than 12 months.